Kilometers Cycled Today: 100 km
Pekalongan to Cirebon
Batang Children Love Cyclers.
I've never been in a marathon or any other long-distance endurance event other than a 10k run in Santa Monica, California. Legends populate the annals of masochistic athletic events of how a cheering crowd brings extra strength for that last leg in a race. Okay, so take out that crowd and replace it with lots of school children in uniform. Forget finishing a race; suddenly, the idea of cycling to somewhere like a bloody battlefield doesn't seem so bad. I'm not sure why children have that effect - maybe in the world of "reasonable adulthood" cycling really far is just ridiculous and in having children acknowledge it there's a moment of a dramatic shift in the power paradigm. OR they're just really cute when they reach out for a high-five and wave.
Misplaced Music.
Nothing is better than climbing steep hills and pumping my legs hard while listening to Ryuichi Sakamoto's Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence? If you clicked the link and listened to the song, you probably want to contemplate something with a corn cob pipe, or embrace the person you love. I love the song. Yet, while aggressively conquering a hill I felt like stopping and picnicking among the trees. I need a new playlist. "Stand By Me" was the next track.
Ambulance Hop.
Yes, at one point I cheated and rode an ambulance about a kilometer. I have my reasons, which would seem more pathetic to explain. I'll just leave you with a photo of me and an ambulance companion, Meika. She probably had the toughest, but most satisfying journey.
Self-Learned Breathing Tip.
Sore throat killing you? The dusty, dry air making cycling a constant cough party? Hold water in your mouth to breath through your nose. Full of nasal snot as well? Not to worry, use a buff to cover your nose and mouth to avoid embarrassment; gross yet effective. Overall though, I have trouble with breathing through my nose, which I've been told prevents thirst and maintains breathing control.
This trip, I've come to accept mucus - I'm not going to try and change its ways.
Pekalongan to Semarang
April 18th, 2011
Days Left to Journey: 41 Days
Training Kilometers Cycled: 488 km
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